The oldest state in the North East is Massachusetts, having been established in 1620 with the founding of Plymouth Colony.
History of Massachusetts
- 1620: Plymouth Colony was established by English Pilgrims seeking religious freedom.
- 1630: The Massachusetts Bay Colony was founded by Puritan settlers.
- 1691: The Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay colonies were merged into the Province of Massachusetts Bay.
- 1780: Massachusetts became one of the original thirteen colonies to ratify the United States Constitution.
Other North Eastern States and Their Founding Dates
- New Hampshire: 1623
- Vermont: 1791
- Maine: 1820
- Rhode Island: 1636
- Connecticut: 1636
- New York: 1624
- New Jersey: 1664
- Pennsylvania: 1681
While New Hampshire and New York were established before Massachusetts, they were not part of the original thirteen colonies that formed the United States. Therefore, Massachusetts holds the title of being the oldest state in the North East.
